AVADA Hearing workshops will be held every other month (uneven months) from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Senior Center. A rep. from Humana, Inc will be here on Mon., Sept 17th at noon to speak on long term insurance, annuities and protecting your assets. On October 8th, Pastor Bruce Plumley will speak on Final Arrangements and Grief Counsel. On October 22nd Dr. Litscher’s Eye Center will present eye surgery and care. Motion approved to send Debbie to a MCOA conference in Sturbridge at a cost of $175.00. John Reed questioned why we have not had any results from the grant that was approved by the Selectmen for a person to assist in programming and other activities at the Senior Center. Brad to write letter to the Selectmen requesting they follow up. It has been 9 months with no results. Debbie has
indicated that she will not be moving to the Senior Center at this time.

FRIENDS OF THE HOLLAND SENIORS: Sara Meier.

The Friends of the Holland seniors were very upset that when more mulch was needed the order was placed with a Southbridge supplier and not with Velvet Greene Garden Center that had donated $500 worth of mulch earlier. Apologies were forthcoming. The COA approved the planting of bulbs at the Center. The cost of the bulbs will be funded by the Friends and purchased from Velvet Greene Garden Center. The Friends are looking for feedback regarding the Fall Foliage bus trip to Yankee Candle and Magic Wings.

SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR: Margaret Crock.

In August, 813 contacts made, 82 seniors served, 341 attended Senior Center, 110 attended congregate meals and the balance includes cards & games (95), exercise (40), senior tax work off program (28), One pot meals (28), No sew blankets (25), Entertainment (24), other activities make up the difference. We wish to thank all those who made donations to our picnic which was very successful.

Corinne Lavallee and her volunteers are still working on “no-sew blankets” for service men. An exercise class is held every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. A simple meal is available on Thursday’s from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45p.m. Cribbage is held each Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Mah Jongg is held each Monday at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, September 30th at 2:00p.m. Seniors who have signed up will be entertained at the Stageloft by a performance of “Cemetery Club” sponsored by the Holland Cultural Council. In November our normal intergenerational lunch with the 2nd graders will be held at the school. We also distribute hats and mittens at the lunch.

SENIOR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM: Margaret Crock and Harold Hewinson.

Year to date, $945.00 has been charged to the Senior Center.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Paul Gillis

Paul presented a report on blinds for the Senior Center. Desa Decorating from Southbridge gave the following cost for 13 blinds (vertical): good grade $2,353, better grade $2,782 and best grade $3,263. Prices are for labor and material. No action taken by the COA.

All of the above reports were accepted by the Council on Aging.

OLD BUSINESS

No action was taken on purchasing coffee from a vendor.

Brad reported that purchasing new locks for the Senior Center would be very expensive. No motion to purchase locks was made.

NEW BUSINESS

Due to I.R.S. regulations, the positions of Kitchen Manager and Maintenance Manager must be hourly employees of the town. These positions will be posted on our local TV Channel, the town web site and on the official bulletin board at the Town Hall. Brad distributed copies of the letter to the Selectmen for their approval to; COA members and those presently doing these jobs. The Selectmen did approve this action. Brad gave copies of the suggested Job Descriptions to COA members and to those presently doing these jobs for review and discussion at the next meeting. Paul suggested that we have a senior’s appreciation day in November. Susan Sanders will look into the costs, the date and the requirements at the Senior Center. Also suggested was having an intergenerational Christmas party and he will head the committee.

COMPUTER UPDATE

Approximately 6 or 7 persons have indicated an interest in learning different things about computers. This list will be given to Mr. Peret and he will determine the next step to be taken. Once that is determined, the people will be notified. Brad will contact Jim and make arrangements to complete the installation of the 3 computers in the craft room. The computer in the office is operational and may be used when the center is open. Directions on how to get into the e-mail program are at the center.

CORRESPONDENCE – Invoice for dues to join the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging in the amount of $100.00 was tabled. All other is distributed on a weekly basis.